(Phnom Penh): Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, issued a strong response to Thailand's threat to cut off oil supplies to Cambodia.

Samdech Techo firmly stated that Cambodia will not collapse due to Thailand’s oil cutoff. He added that if Thailand chooses to proceed with this move, they are free to do so. However, the first to face the consequences would be the Thai’s own PTT gas station, which operates in Cambodia.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote on his social media on Friday night (Jun. 20) as follows:

“A dangerous game that could lead to self-destruction!

Today, a Thai opposition party has proposed that the Thai government stop selling oil to Cambodia, aiming to pressure Cambodia into submission. In response, we firmly state that we will not collapse simply because we don’t import oil from Thailand. On the contrary, it may be Thailand’s own PTT company that will face the consequences. Is it truly your intention to see Thailand’s PTT company fall? If so, go ahead and follow through with your plan.

Cambodia is fully prepared to address the situation that you have threatened us with, including the internet, electricity, and labor. Now, oil is being turned into another weapon against us. In the past, when it came to migrant labor issues, you mistreated and discriminated against Cambodian workers, even using them as hostages and threats. But now that Cambodia has announced it will take back its workers, you have changed your tone, trying to appease and comfort them. Why? Because if Cambodian workers leave the factories, farms, companies, and construction sites, many of these businesses will be forced to shut down due to a labor shortage. If you are truly bold, go ahead and expel all Cambodian workers, and let’s see how that affects Thailand’s economy. Try the same with oil as well, but you should consult with the Thai PTT company first, since it may collapse as a result, especially given that PTT currently operates gas stations in Cambodia. Or perhaps they would have to source oil from other countries just to keep selling it here.

As the leader of the party, I advise the Royal Government to seriously consider redirecting imports away from Thailand, so that they will have no justification to continue issuing threats. Furthermore, if the border gate situation remains unresolved, Cambodia should suspend the import of all canned goods from Thailand, from all kinds of alcohol beverages and energy drinks to all kinds of canned fish and canned meat, replacing them with locally produced or products imported from other countries other than Thailand.

The Cambodian people must look beyond our borders and beyond the year 2030.”
=FRESH NEWS